Sansevieria plant named &#39;Tyler&#39;

ABSTRACT

The variety ‘Tyler’ belongs to the compact  Sansevierias  group, with a height of 40 cm, and an average of 7 leaves per plant. The plant shape is an inverted triangle shape and the arrangement of the leaves is in the form of a rosette. Shows vivid green color in the center of the blades alternating with light yellowish green broad bands and narrow brilliant yellowish green margins. One remarkable trait of ‘Tyler’ is the flower, which shows downwards curved petals.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE CLAIMED PLANT

Sansevieria trifasciata

VARIETY DENOMINATION

Tyler

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Sansevieria plant, botanically known as Sansevieria trifasciata, of the family Ruscaceae, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name “Tyler”

Sansevieria is a monocotyledonous and succulent flowering plant, which can be produced in either hard-leafed or soft-leafed varieties. for interior use as a house plant or outdoor as an ornamental plant.

The new Sansevieria ‘Tyler’ originated from a naturally-occurring mutation of the Sansevieria variety ‘Robusta’ (unpatented). The new Sansevieria variety ‘Tyler’ was discovered and selected by the inventor, Marvin Gonzalez Villegas, as a single sprouting rare plant in a ‘Robusta’ plantation, a controlled environment, in 2007 in Monterrey, San Carlos, province Alajuela, Costa Rica.

Asexual reproduction of the new Sansevieria cultivar by vegetative cuttings was first performed in January 2008 in Monterrey, San Carlos, Alajuela, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘Tyler’, which in combination distinguish this Sansevieria as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Green vivid coloration (RHS 134A) in the interior of the leaf blade with light yellowish green (RHS141C) margins in both sides of the leaf (4-5 mm).

2. Wide, long lanceolated leaves supported in a rosette.

3. 40-45 cm plant height.

4. Erect plant habit.

5. Needs little water and is very drought tolerant.

The new variety ‘Tyler’ is considered a variety of Sansevieria in the group known as “compact Sansevieria plants”. The claimed variety ‘Tyler’ presents an average of 6-7 leaves per plant when it reaches its maturity (between 7-8 months). The claimed variety ‘Tyler’ has an erect growth habit and the entire plant can reach a height range between 40-45 cm. The leaves are wide (8.5 cm average measured at the widest part of the mature leaf) and lanceolated, with a soft waxy texture and the blades are thin and slightly wavy. The plant has an inverted triangle shape. The younger leaves show a green vivid coloration (RHS 134A) in the interior of the leaf blade. This area shows also irregular streaks or light yellowish-green bands (RHS 145D). There are margins in both sides of the leaf (4-5 mm) which are light yellowish green (RHS141C). When the leaf is mature the deep color inside turns strong yellowish green (RHS 141), while margins alternate brilliant yellowish green (RHS 154B) and light yellowish-green (RHS 145C) colors. The claimed variety is moderately drought tolerant and adapts to conditions of light and shade (interior and exterior).

The variety ‘Robusta’ gave rise to the variety ‘Tyler’. The ‘Robusta’ variety is also considered part of the “compact Sansevierias” group. ‘Tyler’ shows more vigor than ‘Robusta’ but has an equal number of leaves per plant (6-7), with an average width of 8.5 cm (measured in the middle of the mature leaf).

Plants of the new Sansevieria ‘Tyler’ differ from plants of the parental cultivar, ‘Robusta’ (unpatented) in the characteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Comparison between new cultivar ‘Tyler’ and its parent variety ‘Robusta’. Parent variety ‘Robusta’ Characteristic New variety ‘Tyler’ (unpatented) Plant Vigor more vigorous (more less vigorous (less leaves) leaves) Color variegated leaves variegated leaves (green vivid (green vivid cross- cross-banding alternating with banding alternating pale green ones) and yellowish with light yellowish- margins. green bands) and light yellowish margins Shape wide and lanceolated wide and lanceolated leaves on leaves on a rosette a rosette Texture of leaves smooth-textured leaves smooth-textured leaves

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparison to the new Sansevieria ‘Tyler’ is the parental variety ‘Robusta’ (unpatented).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Sansevieria cultivar ‘Tyler’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the color of ‘Tyler’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of an eight month old plant of Sansevieria ‘Tyler’ in a 21 cm diameter pot.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of an eight month old plant of Sansevieria ‘Tyler’ in a 21 cm diameter pot.

FIG. 3 shows a close up view of the typical leaves of ‘Tyler’ (Upper side: A, under side: B) from an eight month old plant.

FIG. 4 shows a typical bud and opened flower of Sansevieria ‘Tyler’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Sansevieria ‘Tyler’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new Sansevieria cultivar ‘Tyler’ as grown in an open field at Monterrey, San Carlos de Alajuela province, Costa Rica, conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. Average temperature at Monterrey is 24.5° C. during the day and 18° C. at night. Plants grow under natural light conditions.

This crop does not require constant fertilization, to increase production per area about 200 kg ha⁻¹ N, 150 kg ha⁻¹ of P and 100 kg ha⁻¹ K are required, the production is closely related with soil conditions in which they are grown.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), (April 2009) except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. The photographs and descriptions were taken during the rainy season in Monterrey, San Carlos, Alajuela province, Costa Rica when outdoor day temperature was 23° C. The age of the plants described is 8 months.

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Sansevieria trifasciata.         -   Variety denomination.—Tyler. -   Parentage: Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Robusta’ (unpatented) -   Optimal growth conditions:     -   -   Light intensities.—High adaptability to outdoor or indoor             conditions.         -   Temperature.—Day: 24° C. to 32° C. Night: 18° C. to 23° C.         -   Temperature tolerance.—Tolerant to a low temperature of             about 12° C. and tolerant to a high temperature of about 35°             C.         -   Fertilization—200, 150 and 100 kg ha⁻¹ de N, P and K.         -   Growth regulators.—Not necessary. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Vegetative, by rooted cuttings.         -   Rooting habit and description.—Rizomes, with short roots.         -   Time to initiate roots.—About 15 to 22 days at 20-25° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—About 60 to 90 days. -   Plant:     -   -   General appearance and form.—         -   Height.—About 40 cm when grown in ground; about 35 cm when             grown in a 21 cm size container.         -   Spread.—About 15 cm when grown in ground; About 10 cm when             grown in 21 cm size container.         -   Form.—Monocot; leaf bases arranged in a rosette around             growing point.         -   Shape.—inverted triangle.         -   Growth rate and habit.—About 2 cm per week; upright.         -   Fragrance.—None.         -   Stem.—Modificaded (Rizoma and foliage). Length: About 9 cm             when grown in ground; About 8 cm when grown in 21 cm size             container. Diameter: About 2 cm to 3.5 cm Shape: round.             Texture: Rough Color: RHS 17A Strength: strong and durable             Internode length: About 1 mm to 3 mm. -   Foliage:     -   -   Quantity.—About 7.         -   Arrangement and attachment.—Single, alternate; leaf bases             arranged in a rosette around growth point.         -   Leaf length.—About 40 cm.         -   Leaf width.—About 8.5 cm.         -   Overall shape of leaf.—lanceolated.         -   Apex shape.—acute, triangular.         -   Base shape.—plane.         -   Margin.—sharp, smooth.         -   Texture.—Upper Surface: smooth and waxy texture Under             Surface: smooth and waxy texture.         -   Pubescence.—None. Upper Surface: Lower Surface:         -   Color of mature leaf.—Upper Surface: RHS134A with bands of             RHS 145 D, margins RHS141C Lower Surface: RHS134A with bands             of RHS 142 D, margins RHS141C.         -   Color of immature leaf.—Upper Surface: RHS134A with bands of             RHS 145 D, margins RHS141C Lower Surface: RHS134A with bands             of RHS 142 D, margins RHS141C.         -   Venation.—Pattern: longitudinal/parallel leaf shape Color:             None Leaf fragrance: None. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Arrangement and type.—Inflorescence.         -   Orientation at opening.—out of the spike.         -   Quantity.—Per Plant with at least one open flower: One             inflorescence per plant. About 40 opened 2 weeks after             appearance of the spike.         -   Inflorescence size.—Length: About 27 cm Diameter: About 3.5             cm.         -   Flower size.—Length: About 2.2 cm Diameter: About 1 cm             Depth: About 1 cm.         -   Fragrance.—Soft and pleasant.         -   Bud.—         -   Rate of opening.—About 7 to 8 days, according to weather.         -   Shape.—long.         -   Length.—About 22 mm.         -   Diameter.—About 4 mm.         -   Color.—Apex: RHS 142D Base: RHS 145D.         -   Texture (both surfaces).—smooth. -   Petal:     -   -   Quantity.—6.         -   Arrangement.—radial-shaped and curved downwards (see FIG.             4). -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Androecium.—Stamen: Number: 6 per flower. Length: About 1.5             cm Color: RHS 155D Anther: Length: About 2 mm Width : About             1 mm Color: RHS 145D Filament: Length: About 1.3 cm Color:             RHS 155D Pollen: Amount: moderate Color: RHS 154D.         -   Gynoecium.—Pistil: Number: One per flower Length: About 2.5             cm Stigma: Length: About 1 mm Width: About 0.8 mm Color: RHS             155D Style: Length: About 1.9 cm Color: RHS 155D. -   Ovary.—Length: About 5 mm Width: About 2.5 mm Color: RHS 1D. -   Weather resistant: Drought tolerant -   Disease/pest resistance: not observed for disease/pest resistance. -   Disease/pest susceptibility: not observed for disease/pest     susceptibility. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Sansevieria plant named ‘Tyler’, substantially as illustrated and described herein. 